Didn't Make the Cut

The following prospects are guys with some hype, but failed to make my Top 100. I'll discuss why each of them failed to make the Top 100.

Yasmani Grandal, C, San Diego: Part of the Mat Latos trade from Cincinnati, Grandal is an offensive-minded catcher. However he has questions about his defense and his bat just doesn't profile well at first base, the position he would be forced to move to if he can't make it at catcher.

Matt Adams, 1B, St. Louis: I'm just not that high on Adams' upside. He is a guy that will need to prove it at the big-league level for me to buy in. I do believe he could be a decent player, but not a starter at first base, a position that demands a lot of a player's bat.

Aaron Hicks, OF, Minnesota: Hicks still hasn't turned his many tools into production.

Dellin Betances, P, NY Yankees: I just don't see Betances as a starter long-term. His value as a reliever drops him out of the Top 100 because it's hard for relievers to be worthy of a Top 100 spot.

Sleepers

Oscar Hernandez put up huge numbers last season and will make his US debut this year.

These guys didn't make the Top 100 and for the most part weren't even close to making it, but could be on the last within the next year or two. Most of these guys are far away from the big leagues or have yet to turn their tools into production.

These guys are worth at least following if you play fantasy baseball.

Oscar Hernandez, C, Tampa Bay: Hernandez put up Babe Ruth-like numbers last year, but did it in the Venezuelan League (.402 with 21 homers in 69 games). Still he was only 17 and has considerable potential. Plenty of eyes will be on him this year when he makes his stateside debut to see if his numbers were for real.

Domingo Santana, OF, Houston: Santana was part of the Hunter Pence deal for the Astros. He has great power potential but strikes out often. He hit .269 with seven homers in 96 games in the South Atlantic League (Low-A) for Philadelphia, but picked things up after the trade by hitting .382 with five homers in just 17 games.

Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Minnesota: After a huge 2010 Arcia battled injuries last season, which hurt his production. He was great in 20 games in Low-A before the injuries but was just decent in High-A ball after the injuries. At age 20 he still managed a .760 OPS in 59 games in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

Rosell Herrera, SS, Colorado: Herrera has a promising bat, but there are some questions about his ability to stick at short defensively.

Garin Cecchini, 3B, Boston: Cecchini is a guy what could hit in the .280 to .300 range and has excellent on-base skills.

Edward Salcedo, 3B, Atlanta: Salcedo has a bunch of raw tools, but he needs to turn them into production.

Brandon Drury, 3B, Atlanta: Drury hit .347 last year in short-season ball. Some question his ability to keep hitting as he moves up the ladder. Another strong year this year in Low-A will likely be enough to put him in the Top 100 next year.

Jose Fernandez, SP, Miami: The Marlins' first-round pick last year out of high school, Fernandez is a high-ceiling pitcher that will need a while before he is ready.

JT Realmuto, C, Miami: This athletic catcher impressed last year in his full-season debut and another solid year could have him closer to the Top 100.

Alex Meyer, SP, Washington: A first-round pick in June, Meyer needs to have some success in pro ball before I feel comfortable ranking him due to an up-and-down college career.

Elier Hernandez, OF-Kansas City: Hernandez was a big-dollar international signee last season and has some lofty expectations.

Jorge Bonifacio, OF, Kansas City: Bonifacio is a totally different player than his brother Emilio. He doesn't have the same speed, but has some real power potential. He looked very strong in short-season ball last year.

Ronald Guzman, OF, Texas: Guzman is another big international signee from last year. He already had some big expectations, but rumors that he impressed in the instructional league have only increased the hype.

Rougned Odor, SS/2B, Texas: Odor was a big international signee in 2010 that looked solid in his United States debut last year.

Nomar Mazara, OF, Texas: Mazara is yet another big-dollar international signee from last year to deserve mention. Mazara has major power potential.

Jordan Akins, OF, Texas: Akins is a raw but athletic outfielder that will need some time to develop his skills. He is yet to reach full-season ball.

Jeimer Candelario, 3B, Chicago Cubs: Candelario put up big numbers and received some great scouting reports, but he did it from the Dominican Summer League.

Marco Hernandez, SS, Chicago Cubs: Hernandez hit .333 with gap power and impressed in the Arizona Rookie League last season.

Gioskar Amaya, SS/2B, Chicago Cubs: Amaya hit .377 in the Arizona Rookie League, but has more questions than Hernandez.

Brandon Nimmo, OF, NY Mets: Nimmo was a first-round pick out of high school last year. Since Wyoming doesn't have high school baseball, he is a bit further behind than the rest of his draft class. Still he has considerable potential.

Ravel Santana, OF, NY Yankees: Santana showed some promise last year by slugging .568 in rookie ball. To come closer to the Top 100 he needs to produce at a higher level.

Tyler Austin, 3B, NY Yankees: Austin hit .354 with 26 extra-base hits over 47 games between the Gulf Coast and New York-Penn Leagues last year.

Garrett Gould, SP, LA Dodgers: Gould managed a 2.40 ERA in Low-A ball last year and will make the Top 100 next year if he is anywhere near that good this year.

Joc Pederson, OF, LA Dodgers: Pederson has a considerable ceiling, but he is still turning his tools into production. In 68 games in the Pioneer League he hit .353 with 33 extra-base hits.

Kaleb Cowart, 3B, LA Angels: Cowart is a slugging third baseman that was a high draft pick in 2010. He will make his full-season debut this year, and a strong showing there will put him in the Top 100 next year.

John Hellweg, P, LA Angels: Hellweg has a monster fastball and actually looked better after being moved from the bullpen into the starting rotation.

Taylor Lindsey, 2B, LA Angels: Lindsey had an impressive year last year, but needs to do so in full-season ball to make the list.

Adonys Cardona, SP, Toronto: Cardona was one of the best international prospects in the 2010 class, and had a decent debut last year.

Phillips Castillo, OF, Seattle: Another big international signee from 2010, Castillo is a power prospect. He only managed one homer in 48 games in rookie ball last year, but that was only one of his 24 extra-base hits. The in-game power will likely come in time.

Guillermo Pimentel, OF, Seattle: This slugger is a prospect with big power potential, but will also produce big strikeout numbers.

Edinson Rincon, 3B, San Diego: Rincon has a big bat, but there are major questions about his defensive ability and many think he can't stick at third.

Donovan Tate, OF, San Diego: Tate looked to be putting things together last year, but his career has been sabotaged by injury and suspension. The elite potential is still there, but odds are he doesn't fulfill it due to his lack of development to this point.

Raul Alcantara, SP, Oakland: Alcantara was acquired from Boston in the Andrew Bailey trade and has a considerable ceiling.

Jesse Biddle, SP, Philadelphia: The 2010 first-round pick for the Phillies started slow last year before finishing the year strong.

Robert Stephenson, SP, Cincinnati: Stephenson was a first-round pick last year and has the potential to be very good, but he's not ready for the Top 100 yet.

51-100

Stephen Dunn/Getty ImagesEven after a disappointing debut in the big leagues, Anthony Rizzo has considerable potential.

100. Matt Purke, SP, Washington: Purke was in the discussion to be the top selection in last year's draft, but injuries brought his stock down. If he's healthy he could be a top-of-the-rotation starter, but the health is a question mark. He has looked like his old self in the spring, which is a good sign.

99. Henry Villar, SS, Houston: Villar has a high ceiling but major questions. He doesn't hit well and has some issues with consistently making plays defensively, but there is potential. It is worth noting that he made some progress last year by showing solid power.

98. Chad Bettis, SP, Colorado: Bettis is a future middle-of-the-rotation starter that didn't have much trouble with the offensive-happy California League last year.

97. Keyvius Sampson, SP, San Diego: Injuries have slowed him before last season, but he stayed healthy in 2011. He looked strong in Low-A last year and could be a potential No. 2 starter down the line.

96. Brad Peacock, P, Oakland: Some question his ability to stay in the rotation in the long term because his changeup needs work and his curve is average at best.

95. Daniel Norris, SP, Toronto: Norris was considered the top left-handed high school pitcher in the 2011 MLB draft, but fell due to signing bonus demands.

94. Taylor Jungmann, SP, Milwaukee: Jungmann was a very good college pitcher, but is most likely a No. 4 starter in the big leagues.

93. Taylor Guerrieri, SP, Tampa Bay: Guerrieri has a considerable ceiling but fell a bit in the 2011 MLB draft due to concerns about his makeup.

92. Luis Heredia, SP, Pittsburgh: The top international signee in 2010 showed some promise in his pro debut last year. He has ace potential, but is far from the big leagues and still has to grow as a player to get there.

91. Nick Franklin, SS, Seattle: Franklin struggled last year after a breakout 2010. Now that he is healthy he will need to produce in 2012. There are also questions about whether he can stick at short defensively, but if he does and he produces, he could become an All-Star.

90. Brandon Jacobs, OF, Boston: Jacobs has drawn comparisons to former MVP Kevin Mitchell. The athletic ex-football player has a nice combination of power and speed.

89. Jorge Alfaro, C, Texas: While Alfaro isn't anywhere near the big leagues, his potential is considerable. In his United States debut last year he hit .300 with 16 extra-base hits in 45 games at age 18.

88. Jed Bradley, SP, Milwaukee: Bradley was the 15th pick in the 2011 MLB draft out of Georgia Tech. He has the ceiling to be a No. 2 starter, but may need a bit more developmental time than the average college pitcher.

87. Justin Nicolino, SP, Toronto: After dominating short-season ball while posting a 1.03 ERA, Nicolino got moved up to Low-A ball where he made three solid starts late in the year. He could be a nice middle-of-the-rotation guy.

86. Joe Ross, SP, San Diego: The brother of Oakland pitcher Tyson Ross, Joe Ross was a first-round pick last year out of high school. Ross has the potential to be very good, and could be ranked significantly higher next year with a strong season in Low-A.

85. Jose Campos, SP, NY Yankees: The other part of the trade in which the Yankees received Michael Pineda. He spent last season making his United States debut at age 18 and went 5-5 with a 2.32 ERA, and could become a front-of-the-rotation starter.

84. John Lamb, SP, Kansas City: Lamb ranked much higher a year ago, but his stuff wasn't the same and then he required Tommy John surgery. Once he returns midseason, he could restore his stock.

83. Mikie Mahtook, OF, Tampa Bay: Mahtook slipped a bit in the draft last year but showed promising power in college last year.

82. Dante Bichette Jr., 3B, NY Yankees: Bichette had almost no issues adjusting to pro ball after being drafted, and looks like a potential slugging third baseman. He hit a pair of homers in a spring training game on March 31st.

81. Christian Bethancourt, C, Atlanta: Bethancourt's offensive game is still behind his strong defense, but there is potential.

80. Leonys Martin, OF, Texas: Martin has the potential to be a solid starting center fielder capable of playing solid defense as well as hitting in the top part of the lineup.

79. Sonny Gray, SP, Oakland: If Gray was just a bit taller he may have been the top pick in last year's draft. He could still become a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter, if not more.

78. Mike Montgomery, SP, Kansas City: Control issues slowed him last year, but reports said his stuff was still there despite those issues. Montgomery still has the same ceiling as he did a year ago, but just has a bit more work to do to reach it.

77. Addison Reed, RP, Chicago White Sox: Reed is the top pure relief prospect in baseball and could eventually become a very good closer.

76. Kolten Wong, 2B, St. Louis: The Cardinals' top draft choice a year ago, Wong is an offensive-minded second base prospect that won't hurt his team defensively.

75. Cody Buckel, SP, Texas: Buckel is a guy I'm very high on after a strong full-season debut last year that earned him comparisons to Jeremy Hellickson.

74. Cory Spangenburg, 2B, San Diego: Spangenburg is an offensive-minded second baseman that is a threat on the bases.

73. Jonathan Schoop, INF, Baltimore: Schoop is a promising offensive prospect with some questions about his future defensive home. He is likely to play second or third, but is going to get a look at short.

72. Jarred Cosart, SP, Houston: Cosart is a kid with the potential to become an ace, but has also left scouts wondering why his stuff has not produced better results in the minors.

71. Anthony Rizzo, 1B, Chicago Cubs: Rizzo disappointed last year in his big-league debut with San Diego, but was called up too early after posting big numbers in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League. He is still the same prospect he was a year ago, not as bad as what we saw in the big leagues, but not as good as the inflated minor league numbers.

70. Starling Marte, OF, Pittsburgh: Marte is a potential top-part-of-the-order hitter with good defensive ability, but at the same time could end up as a fourth outfielder. He had a very good spring before being sent back down.

69. Jean Segura, SS, LA Angels: Segura has to still prove he can play short after a shortened season due to injury last year. He's a potential All-Star if he stays at short, but may not be much better than average if he has to play second. Reports from Angels camp suggest that he's healthy and ready to go.

68. Allen Webster, SP, LA Dodgers: Webster broke out last year before tiring out in Double-A ball. He could be a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.

67. Noah Syndergaard, SP, Toronto: Syndergaard has plenty of potential, but he's only pitched two games in full-season ball. He has star potential.

66. Will Middlebrooks, 3B, Boston: Middlebrooks projects to be a strong defender with a decent bat at the hot corner.

65. Tyrell Jenkins, SP, St. Louis: Jenkins is a bit raw and had his ups and downs last year, but he could eventually become a front-of-the-rotation starter.

64. Wily Peralta, SP, Milwaukee: The Brewers' top prospect is nearly ready to help on the big-league level. He could become a strong No. 3 starter down the line.

63. Trevor May, SP, Philadelphia: May posted big strikeout numbers last year, but looks more like a middle-of-the-rotation guy. He does have the potential to be a bit more than that though.

62. George Springer, OF, Houston: Springer has a great power and speed combination with a strong arm from center field. His biggest issue is his contact rate, but the star power is there.

60. Mike Olt, 3B, Texas: Olt plays solid defense to go with good power and the ability to get on base. He could become the eventual replacement for Adrian Beltre.

59. AJ Cole, SP, Oakland: Cole was a big bonus draft pick from 2010 that was sent to Oakland as part of the Gio Gonzalez trade. He has the ceiling of a front-of-the-rotation starter, but he's a few years away.

58. Zach Lee, SP, LA Dodgers: Lee looked strong in his debut last year and looks like he made the right choice in passing up the chance to play quarterback for LSU. The strikeouts weren't there for him last year, but at the same time he did great for his age in the Midwest League.

57. Gary Sanchez, C, NY Yankees: He struggled early and has questions regarding his defense and maturity, but the kid can hit. A white-hot streak before a season-ending injury gave him a very strong line in the Sally League (South Atlantic League) at age 18.

56. Drew Hutchison, SP, Toronto: Hutchison doesn't have the ace to be more than a middle-of-the-rotation guy, but he dominated hitters at three separate levels last year despite not turning 21 until late August. He just knows how to pitch.

55. Anthony Gose, OF, Toronto: Gose is a raw five-tool talent that finally showed some signs of improvement last year in Double-A. He will spent this season at age 21 in Triple-A and could become a star if he puts it all together.

54. Matt Harvey, SP, NY Mets: A first-round draft choice in 2010, Harvey moved up to Double-A in his pro debut. His changeup will determine if he's a front-of-the-rotation guy or middle-of-the-rotation guy, as that pitch is below average.

53. Michael Choice, OF, Oakland: Choice is a guy with the potential to hit 30 homers and steal double-digit bases while playing strong defense. His biggest issue is his contact rate as he racks up a ton of strikeouts.

52. Javier Baez, SS, Chicago Cubs: The Cubs' first-rounder last year may outgrow short and be forced to move to third. Still he has a potentially special bat that could be All-Star worthy at third.

51. Billy Hamilton, SS, Cincinnati: Hamilton was hitting below .200 at the end of May, but made huge strides at the plate after that point. His hitting ability looks like it may be good enough to take advantage of his speed, which is among the best in the game and grades out at an 80 on the 20-80 scouting scale.

Hamilton has to prove he can stick at short defensively and not be forced to move to second base or the outfield.

50. Brett Jackson, OF, Chicago Cubs

Ezra Shaw/Getty ImagesBrett Jackson has few weaknesses in his game.

Brett Jackson isn't a guy with a single plus tool, but at the same time he's also at least average across the board. He will hit for decent power, steal bases and play solid defense. That's a skill set that could eventually make him an All-Star center fielder.

Jackson's only real question is his contact rate because he strikes out fairly often, but that's something the Cubs should be able to live with because of everything he will do well.

If it weren't for the Cubs not having a starting job for him right now, Jackson would be a candidate to be the Opening Day starter. He should be in the big leagues this year and could be a fixture for a very long time at Wrigley Field.

49. Robbie Erlin, SP, San Diego

Robbie Erlin was acquired by the Padres in the Mike Adams deal last July, in a deal that should benefit both the Padres and Erlin. Erlin's stuff may be just average, but he has such great command that he shouldn't have much trouble having success in the big leagues.

Erlin is ready to move up to Triple-A and should get a look in the big leagues this year, as he'd be an improvement over the current group of pitchers in San Diego.

He could be a middle-of-the-rotation starter anywhere, but the advantage of pitching in spacious Petco Park could lead to him being among the National League leaders in ERA somewhere in the future.

48. Rymer Liriano, OF, San Diego

Rich Pilling/Getty ImagesRymer Liriano has an interesting combination of power and speed.

Rymer Liriano is a toolsy young outfielder that won the Midwest League's MVP award after hitting .319 with 12 homers and 65 steals in 116 games after failing in a short trial in the California League.

While some will hold the weak stint in the California League against him, they have to remember that he was only 20 last year.

Liriano is a potential All-Star that appears to be a corner outfielder. He could end up hitting for a good average with 20 homers and 30 steals per year, as he will likely lose some speed as he fills out his body.

He's also a player that will need to move a level at a time for now and may not be ready for the big leagues until late 2014.

47. Oscar Taveras, OF, St. Louis

Oscar Taveras had a great year at the plate in 2011.

Oscar Taveras only turned 19 in mid-June last year and spent some time battling injuries, but nothing was able to slow him in full-season ball. Taveras was hitting around the .400 mark for a while last year and ended up with a .386 average in 78 games against older competition.

He had a strong enough season that the Cardinals were confident enough to send him to the Arizona Fall League against much more experienced competition. Despite the challenge he managed to hit .307 in 75 at-bats.

Some scouts question the mechanics of Taveras' swing and he isn't a great athlete, which will limit his defense and baserunning. Still he could be a decent corner outfielder that hits for a high average with solid power.

Taveras may be young and inexperienced with just 78 games in full-season ball, but he has an advanced hit tool that could help him reach the big leagues relatively quickly.

I wouldn't be shocked to see him in the big leagues in 2013, and would expect him there at the least by mid-2014.

46. Andrelton Simmons, SS, Atlanta

Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesAndrelton Simmons could be the Opening Day starter at short.

When the Braves selected Andrelton Simmons in the second round of the 2010 MLB draft, they were leaning towards him as a pitcher.

Simmons, a Curacao native who was playing at an Oklahoma community college, was considered to be the best defensive shortstop in the draft but also came with a fastball in the upper 90s.

Simmons was thought to be a weak hitter when he was drafted, though he did decent in short-season ball in 2010 after signing. He came into 2011 and won the batting title in the High-A Carolina League when he hit .311.

Simmons only hit one homer, but hit 35 double, six triples and stole 26 bases. He also showed good strike zone recognition, striking out just 43 times in 517 at-bats.

Simmons is a potential Gold Glove award winner at shortstop, which is where his value lies. He has a chance to eventually become an average hitter for the position, though won't ever have much power.

Simmons impressed the Braves in spring training and is competing with Tyler Pastornicky to be the Opening Day starter at short. I believe it would be a mistake to choose Simmons, who is ready with the glove, because it would really hurt his development as a hitter.

If he doesn't win the job he will start the year in Double-A and could reach Atlanta during this season.

45. Xander Bogaerts, 3B, Boston

One year ago Xander Bogaerts was a sleeper prospect not on anyone's Top 100 lists; however, a lot has happened since then.

Bogaerts was given an aggressive assignment in June, as the Red Sox thought he was ready for full-season ball and he skipped over rookie ball and short-season ball to begin in Low-A.

In Low-A Bogaerts hit .260 with 32 extra-base hits, including 16 homers and 45 RBI in 72 games. Those are impressive numbers, but even more impressive considering that he was only 18 years old for the entire season and it was his United States debut.

Bogaerts isn't likely to stick at shortstop defensively, but there is hope that he can handle third base. He projects to have at least plus power and should hit for a decent average. The native of Aruba could be the best Latin American signee by the Red Sox since Hanley Ramirez.

Bogaerts is likely to start this year in High-A. He is still very young and will take some time to develop, so it's not likely that he gets promoted to Double-A this year, unless he absolutely crushes High-A pitching.

Bogaerts could make his debut as soon as late 2013, or sometime in 2014.

44. Gary Brown, OF, San Francisco

Gary Brown could be an impact leadoff hitter.

When the Giants took Gary Brown with the 24th pick in the 2010 MLB draft, some questioned the decision because of the lack of walks Brown had in college. It turns out that Brown took so few walks in college because he was able to hit whatever he wanted to, not because of a plate discipline issue.

Brown began 2011 in High-A and had a monster year for a leadoff hitter. He hit .336 with 34 doubles, 13 triples, 14 homers, 80 RBI and stole 53 bases. He posted an on-base percentage of .407 with a slugging percentage of .519.

While some will point to the numbers being inflated by the California League, Brown was still an impact player with his speed and ability to make contact.

Brown projects as a leadoff hitter capable of impacting the game with his ability to hit for average, speed and strong center field defense. He also projects to have at least gap power.

Brown will likely begin the year in Double-A, and considering the Giants' offensive struggles there is a chance that he makes his debut later this year to help spark the offense.

43. Jake Odorizzi, SP, Kansas City

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesJake Odorizzi was a big part of the deal that sent Zack Greinke to Milwaukee.

Jake Odorizzi was selected in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft by Milwaukee and had shown plenty of promise before being dealt to the Royals prior to the 2011 season in the Zack Greinke deal. Odorizzi really broke out in his first year in the Kansas City organization, and he reached Double-A.

Odorizzi started the year in High-A where he went 5-4 with a 2.87 ERA in 15 starts there, striking out 103 batters in 78.1 innings. He pitched well enough to get moved up to Double-A, where he went 5-3 with a 4.72 ERA in 13 starts.

Odorizzi has a plus fastball and then three other pitches that grade out as average. The lack of a second above-average pitch likely gives him the potential to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter instead of a front-of-the-rotation guy, but he has a good chance of reaching his ceiling.

Odorizzi may start the year back in Double-A, but could see a promotion to Triple-A during the year. There is a chance he makes his debut later this year, and if he doesn't he should in 2013.

42. Cheslor Cuthbert, 3B, Kansas City

Cheslor Cuthbert could become a future All-Star.

Last year Cheslor Cuthbert hit .267 with eight homers and 51 RBI in 81 games. That doesn't tell the whole story for the third baseman. Cuthbert was playing in his first extended playing time as an 18-year-old in Low-A, which is very young for the level. Cuthbert also hit very well for a while before tiring out and slumping over the last two months.

Cuthbert has drawn great scouting reports from many sources, and reports say that the ball just makes a different sound when it comes off his bat. That's a sign that he could become a special hitter after further development. He does project to be a guy that hits for a decent average and possibly plus power. Cuthbert is a guy with the potential to move up these rankings in the future depending on what he shows this year.

Cuthbert will move up to High-A ball this year, where he will continue to be young for his league. He learned about the grind of a full season last year, and he should be better equipped to handle the workload. Expect him in the big leagues sometime in 2014.

41. Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland

Francisco Lindor could be ranked much higher next year.

The Cleveland Indians selected Francisco Lindor with the eighth pick in the 2011 MLB draft out of a Florida high school because they believe that he could be a future All-Star as a shortstop. Considering there are few legitimate solid everyday starters at the position, it just goes to show his future value.

Lindor's value is in his defense, as he projects as a plus defender at short with a good arm. He also has the ability to be a very solid hitter, though scouting reports on his power potential do vary a bit right now.

He is a player that could climb the rankings after we get some pro data on him, similar to the way Jurickson Profar did last year.

Lindor is likely to start the year in full-season ball in Low-A after making his professional debut in a short-season league late last season. He's probably about three years away from the big leagues, but has a very high ceiling.

40. Jonathan Singleton, 1B, Houston

Matthew Stockman/Getty ImagesJonathan Singleton will hopefully be a big part of the Astros' rebuilding.

Jonathan Singleton had a very up-and-down 2010.

He started out being an experiment for the Phillies, as they tried to alter his swing and also tried to convert him to the outfield because Ryan Howard was blocking his path to the big leagues.

Neither of those things really worked out as he struggled early on, but after the team scrapped both of those plans he began to hit again after the slow start.

Shortly after Singleton started to hit again, the Phillies dealt him to Houston in the Hunter Pence trade. Following that trade Singleton was very hot, but those numbers are partly inflated by the extremely hitter-friendly California League.

Overall he posted a .298 average with 13 homers and 63 RBI as a 19-year-old in High-A ball. While the numbers aren't spectacular, they are good considering his age was young for that level and he spent most of his season in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League.

Singleton is limited to first base defensively and looks like a potential middle-of-the-order hitter. Singleton should hit for a high average and hit 25-30 homers per year, though he won't provide any speed and will be just average defensively.

He's expected to start the year in Double-A, but could potentially start in High-A to gain confidence in the California League. Don't expect him in the big leagues until late 2013.

39. Zack Wheeler, SP, New York Mets

The Mets held on to Carlos Beltran last year until they got the right offer, and when the Giants offered pitching prospect Zack Wheeler the Mets jumped all over that offer. Wheeler was the No. 6 pick in the 2009 MLB draft and has steadily moved up in the Giants system.

Wheeler has the potential to become an ace in the future, though that is more of a maximum-end projection. The more likely result with him is that he becomes a very strong second starter for a playoff team.

The main thing holding him back is his below-average control, as he has averaged 4.7 walks per nine innings throughout his minor league career.

Wheeler is ready to start the 2012 season in Double-A after going 9-7 with a 3.52 ERA last year, including going 2-2 with a 2.00 ERA in six starts after the trade.

If he keeps on the same developmental track, he should reach the big leagues in 2013, though it's not totally out of the question that he makes his debut this September.

38. Carlos Martinez, SP, St. Louis

Carlos Martinez has electric stuff.

Carlos Martinez, formerly Carlos Matias, is a short (6'0") right-handed pitcher with an explosive fastball capable of hitting 100 MPH. Martinez is a former high-profile signee out of the Dominican Republic who had some identity issues, leading to his original contract with the Red Sox to be voided.

Now that he's in America he's moved up the ladder fairly quickly.

He made his U.S. debut on May 7th last year, and was promoted to High-A before the end of June after dominating Low-A hitters. He fell apart a little against tougher competition, but it's not a major concern yet since he was young for the level at just 19 years old and in the United States for the first time.

There are some that project Martinez to end up in the bullpen as a closer because of his height and issues with control, but he has the ability to become a front-of-the-rotation starter if he develops.

Either way don't expect him in the big leagues until mid-2014 because the Cardinals are going to be patient and allow him to develop as a starter.

The Cardinals may start him in High-A ball again to regain some confidence and pitch in a pitcher-friendly environment in the Florida State League, with a chance he moves to Double-A later in the year.

37. Christian Yelich, OF, Miami

The Marlins drafted Christian Yelich out of his California high school in the first round of the 2010 MLB draft hoping to add an impact bat to their lineup in the future.

He was only able to get 12 games in the minors that year after signing late, but he showed promise with a .868 OPS in 50 plate appearances.

Yelich got to spend all of last year in Low-A and he couldn't have had a much better year than he did. He hit ..312 with 15 homers and 77 RBI in 122 games and showed excellent base running ability by stealing 32 bases in 37 attempts despite not having true plus speed.

Yelich is the whole package, a hard-working player that has shown an ability to make adjustments. He is likely to hit .300 with a high on-base percentage and enough power to hit at least 20-25 homers a year and mix in 20 steals.

His defense is solid in left field, but it could improve since he's a converted high school first baseman. The only big knock on him is his well-below-average throwing arm.

Yelich spent the entire 2011 season in Low-A, and will move up to High-A this year. He will be playing the season at age 20, so it's possible he gets a promotion to Double-A in the second half of the year, but he will need to prove he's ready for that.

He should be ready for the big leagues in 2014. He's also a guy that could rank significantly higher in the future as his power develops and he starts producing at the upper levels of the minors.

36. Jarrod Parker, SP, Oakland

For a guy that is only 23 years old, Jarrod Parker has already seen plenty in his professional career.

A first-round draft pick in 2007 by Arizona, Parker was on the fast track to the big leagues before requiring Tommy John surgery in 2009.

He returned last year and started slowly, but made his big-league debut late in the year and went on to make the postseason roster. He was then dealt to Oakland in the winter in the Trevor Cahill trade.

Parker has a big fastball that reaches the upper 90s, and his plus slider should be fully back now that he's two years removed from his injury. He has solid control as well, though it was off last year as he was working to find it, which is normal for pitchers recovering from that type of surgery.

That helps him project into a front-end starter in the near future, though he won't ever be a true ace.

I actually expected Parker to make the Opening Day roster, but he wasn't very effective in Cactus League games this spring. Due to his spring struggles Parker was sent to the minors already and will begin the year in Triple-A.

He will be back sometime this year, depending on when there is an injury and how well he pitches.

35. Arodys Vizcaino, P, Atlanta

Jonathan Daniel/Getty ImagesArodys Vizcaino will miss the year after Tommy John surgery.

Arodys Vizcaino came to the Braves after the 2009 season along with Melky Cabrera in the deal that sent Javier Vazquez to the Yankees. At the time of the deal he was a highly thought-of prospect, but he wasn't close to the big leagues and had a history of some arm issues.

Vizcaino had a big year in 2010 splitting the season between Low-A and High-A, but an arm issue forced him to sit out a big chunk of the season. He came into 2011 and dominated as a starter in High-A and then had success in Double-A before the Braves converted him to the bullpen to help in the big leagues.

Vizcaino shot through the system fairly quickly after the conversion and made his big-league debut in mid-August. He pitched well considering he was only 20 years old, going 1-1 with a 4.67 ERA in 17.1 innings, though his numbers would have been better if not for one bad game.

Vizcaino will miss all of the 2012 season after requiring Tommy John surgery following a spring training injury, but his stuff pre-surgery was electric.

When he returns he could be a front-end starter or a back-end-of-the-bullpen reliever, though the injury may have decided his fate as a reliever. His timeline to return to the big leagues all depends on his recovery.

34. Nick Castellanos, 3B, Detroit

Elsa/Getty ImagesNick Castellanos is a promising young hitter that could be the answer at third for Detroit.

Nick Castellanos was possibly the best high school hitter in the 2010 MLB draft, though high bonus demands kept him from being selected until the sandwich round.

Detroit paid up and assigned him to Low-A to start the 2011 season, where he struggled badly in April as he adjusted to pro ball and the cold weather of the Midwest League.

Castellanos rebounded in May and stayed hot for the rest of the season. On the year he hit .312 with seven homers and 76 RBI along with 36 doubles. He looks like he will hit for a high average, though he will strike out often.

His defense is a work in progress, but it's due to being converted from being a high school shortstop rather than a lack of skills.

Scouts are divided on his power potential, which is the thing that will likely determine his future value. Some expect him to hit for plus power, while others are saying it will only be average. If he develops even above-average power he has the potential to be an All-Star.

Castellanos will begin the year in High-A, and will have a chance to reach Double-A by midseason because the Tigers are very aggressive with their top young prospects. He will likely reach the majors in 2014 because he's still developing his entire game.

33. Randall Delgado, SP, Atlanta

Al Messerschmidt/Getty ImagesRandall Delgado could make the Opening Day roster.

Though he is sometimes overshadowed by fellow Braves pitching prospects Julio Teheran and Arodys Vizcaino, Randall Delgado is a top prospect in his own right. He may not have the pure stuff that either of the other two guys have, but he still has quality stuff and a good feel for pitching.

When injuries to starters Tommy Hanson and Jair Jurrjens forced the Braves to promote a prospect, it was Delgado that they brought up instead of Teheran.

Delgado rewarded the Braves by going 1-1 with a 2.83 ERA in seven starts late in the season during a pennant race. His numbers were a bit better than he actually pitched, though it's tough to ask for more from a kid that was just 21 years old.

Delgado is fighting Teheran for the final spot in the rotation this spring and appears to have a lead, though barring an injury he will be back in Triple-A by May once Tim Hudson returns.

Delgado only made four Triple-A starts last year, so he could use the extra time to develop and should be in the bigs for good next year, He projects as a very good No. 3 starter.

32. Martin Perez, SP, Texas

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesMartin Perez needs his production to match his scouting reports if he wants to have big-league success.

Martin Perez is a talented pitcher that seems to always be young for his level ever since he debuted in 2008. His biggest knock is a real concern, and that is the fact that his numbers rarely match the glowing scouting reports.

He will need to really produce this year at age 21 to make the jump to Texas.

Perez is a lefty with great stuff and three above-average pitches, which on the surface makes him a top-of-the-rotation starter. His numbers aren't that impressive ever since he reached Double-A in the second half of 2009. He had a 5.57 ERA in five starts in 2009 at that level and returned there to spend all of 2010, but only went 5-8 with a 5.96 ERA.

While that may not be impressive at all, he was only 19 years old and did strike out 101 hitters in 99.2 innings.

Perez returned to Double-A to start 2011 and had more success this time, going 4-2 with a 3.16 ERA in 17 games before being promoted to Triple-A. In 10 Triple-A starts he only went 4-4 with a 6.43 ERA, though he was again young for the level and the Pacific Coast League is an extreme hitters league.

Perez will start 2012 in Triple-A and could make his debut at any time if he pitches well, though he isn't likely to come up for good this year unless there is an injury.

If he pitches well in Triple-A the Rangers could allow Colby Lewis to walk as a free agent, though he would still need to beat out some talented internal candidates that already have big league experience.

31. James Paxton, SP, Seattle

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesThe Mariners stole James Paxton after he was in limbo following being ineligible to return to college.

James Paxton was drafted by Toronto in the sandwich round in 2009 but decided not to sign; however an eligibility issue kept him from returning to pitch in college. He pitched in the independent leagues, though he failed to impress and Seattle re-drafted him in the fourth round in 2010.

Paxton started 2011 in Low-A in late-April, and after looking great in 10 starts the Mariners promoted him to Double-A. The reason for skipping a level was because Paxton was already 22 years old and because the level skipped was the California League, a notorious hitters league. In seven starts in Double-A, Paxton went 3-0 with a 1.85 ERA.

Paxton has the stuff to be a strong No. 3 starter with a chance to be a No. 2 if everything breaks right for him. He has a chance to be in Seattle by midseason.

30. Hak-Ju Lee, SS, Tampa Bay

Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesHak-Ju Lee has All-Star potential.

Hak-Ju Lee came to the Rays as one of the headliners in the trade that sent Matt Garza to the Cubs. The Korean shortstop had been coming off a solid 2010 in Low-A and a trip to the Futures game, where he finally got some exposure as a prospect.

Lee is a very good defender with a chance to hit for a decent average and the ability to steal 30 bases or so. He looked great in High-A before a midseason promotion to Double-A, hitting .318 with 31 extra-base hits in 97 games. He did struggle in 24 Double-A games, hitting just .190 with a .582 OPS.

Lee has the ability to become an All-Star, and considering the Rays' hole at shortstop ever since Jason Bartlett's big 2009 season there is a chance they'll try to move him more aggressively than they tend to move other prospects.

He will begin the year in Double-A, but it's not out of the question that he makes his debut at some point this year, even if it's not as a permanent starter yet.

29. Manny Banuelos, SP, New York Yankees

Manny Banuelos could help the Yankees later this year if needed.

Manny Banuelos is a diminutive left-handed starter that Yankees fans have been waiting for ever since he signed out of Mexico as a 16-year-old international free agent. Due to the fact that he's fairly polished, he has always been young for his level and just turned 21 this month.

Banuelos reached Triple-A last year and made seven starts at that level, going 2-2 with a 4.19 ERA. He showed some issues with his control as walked a career-high 4.9 hitters per nine innings between Double and Triple-A, though some think he was never fully right after battling through a minor injury from the spring.

Banuelos will start the year in Triple-A, though due to the Yankees' depth in the rotation he isn't likely to debut until September. He could end up in the rotation for good in 2013 as guys like Freddy Garcia, Andy Pettite and Hiroki Kuroda are likely to move on after this season.

He ceiling is as a No. 2 starter and one of his best attributes is the fact that his polish means that his floor isn't much lower than his ceiling.

28. Danny Hultzen, SP, Seattle

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesDanny Hultzen was taken second overall in the 2011 MLB draft.

Danny Hultzen was selected with the second pick in the 2011 MLB draft over higher upside pitchers like Dylan Bundy, Archie Bradley and Trevor Bauer as well as top college hitter Anthony Rendon.

The Mariners took the Virginia ace because they thought he was a very safe bet to become at least a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter.

Hultzen signed too late to debut last year, but pitched well in the Arizona Fall League. He has three pitches that rate as at least above-average and has good control. He's also very polished after pitching well for a top college program for the past three seasons, so he should move quickly.

Hultzen is a guy that could potentially make his big-league debut this year, but the Mariners aren't likely to be that aggressive with him. He's expected to debut sometime in 2013 and could eventually become a solid No. 2 starter.

27. Jake Marisnick, OF, Toronto

Jake Marisnick is a five-tool talent.

Jake Marisnick was a talented high school outfielder from California that was selected in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft by Toronto. The five-tool prospect debuted in 2010 and got as high as Low-A that season after starting the year in short-season ball.

Marisnick started 2011 where he finished 2010, and he really broke out in the Midwest League. Marisnick hit .320 with 14 homers and 77 RBI while stealing 37 bases in 45 attempts.

His secondary stats also backed up the breakout being for real, as he 47 total extra-base hits and posted a .392 on-base percentage as he improved his plate discipline.

Marisnick is a true five-tool guy that has an All-Star ceiling if he develops as expected. He will start the year in High-A, at age 21, and has a chance to reach Double-A. Marisnick isn't going to be rushed to the bigs because the Jays offense is very good, so he is looking at making his debut in 2014.

26. Josh Bell, OF, Pittsburgh

Josh Bell surprised many by signing at all last year.

Heading into the 2011 MLB draft Josh Bell ranked right up there with Bubba Starling as the top hitter in the class.

He was set to be a high pick but a letter he wrote to teams stating that he was headed to college and asking them not to draft him caused him to fall to the second round. His signing with the Pirates surprised many, but when the Pirates offered $5 million it was too tough to pass up.

Bell is the prototype right fielder. He's a slugger that could potentially hit for a decent average and has a strong throwing arm. Bell still has to turn that power potential into in-game power, which is why he isn't ranked any higher right now.

Bell has a ton of potential, but he's going to take a while to reach Pittsburgh. There is a good chance he begins the year in Low-A, but it's not likely he gets moved up any higher this year. He should reach the majors in 2015.

25. Bubba Starling, OF, Kansas City

Bubba Starling gave up football to become a top baseball draft pick.

The Royals used their first-round pick in the 2011 MLB draft on local product Bubba Starling.

After going down to the deadline, they were able too sign him and buy him out of a scholarship to play quarterback for the University of Nebraska, where he was a top recruit. Starling was considered by many to be the top high school hitter in the draft class.

Starling is a five-tool outfielder with an arm strong enough to have considerable potential as a pitcher if he fails to develop as a hitter. Starling needs to work on his swing, but has the potential to hit for both average and power and he has the speed to be a very good defender in center.

Starling is considerably more raw than a normal top draft prospect because he's been a two-sport star and will just now start to focus on only baseball. Starling is set to debut in Low-A this year, but is a guy that will move up one level a year because he is going to take time to fully develop. He could debut in 2015.

24. Anthony Rendon, 3B, Washington

Greg Fiume/Getty ImagesAnthony Rendon, center, is one of the top prospects the Nationals drafted last year.

Anthony Rendon was the top college hitter in a talented draft class last year, but saw his stock fall because he had a bunch of injuries. He had a pair of serious ankle injuries and spent his whole junior year with a shoulder injury that kept him from playing the field and limited his power.

Rendon was one of the top college players in the game in his freshman in sophomore seasons and looked like the total package.

He looks like he will hit for an average above .300 along with more than 20 homers per year and very good on-base skills along with the potential to play Gold Glove defense at third base.

Rendon has to show that he can stay healthy after three injuries in three college seasons. He also has to show his power, as he doesn't have a big frame and the switch in bats for colleges last year may have helped contribute to his lack of power in addition to his shoulder injury.

Rendon is going to start the year in High-A and could reach Double-A this year, but his future is a bit of a question.

He's blocked at third base in Washington by Ryan Zimmerman, a player just given a long-term contract, so he may end up moving to second. If it weren't for being blocked he would have the potential to be ready in 2013.

23. Archie Bradley, SP, Arizona

Norm Hall/Getty ImagesArchie Bradley has ace potential.

Archie Bradley was "the other" Oklahoma high school pitcher last year, as he ranked just below Dylan Bundy on the list of prospects for the 2011 MLB draft. Bundy was selected fourth by Baltimore, while Bradley went seventh to Arizona.

Bradley apparently looked great in the instructional league, further adding to the hype behind him. He's got a fastball that he can get up to 98 MPH as well as a big curve.

Bradley, like most prep pitchers, needs to work on his changeup, but there aren't many holes in his game. He has a real chance to become a true ace.

Bradley is fairly polished for a prep pitcher and is expected to move quickly. Similarly to Bubba Starling, Bradley was bought out of a scholarship to play football for a major college, Oklahoma. Bradley will begin the year in Low-A and could get to the big leagues for late-2014.

22. Tyler Skaggs, SP, Arizona

Rob Tringali/Getty ImagesTyler Skaggs was the centerpiece of the deal that sent Dan Haren to the Angels.

Tyler Skaggs was taken in the sandwich round of the 2009 MLB draft by the Angels before being dealt to Arizona as part of the Dan Haren deal in 2010. He had been a successful pitcher in the minors, but only really broke out last season.

Skaggs started 2011 in High-A and went 5-5 with a 3.22 ERA in 17 starts, numbers that look very good in the extremely hitter-friendly California League. He pitched well enough to earn a promotion to Double-A, where he went 4-1 with a 2.50 ERA in 10 starts.

Skaggs is likely to begin this year in Triple-A even though he won't turn 21 until mid-July. He projects to become a strong No. 2 starter and could be ready to make his big-league debut later this season.

21. Drew Pomeranz, SP, Colorado

Thearon W. Henderson/Getty ImagesDrew Pomeranz could be up for good this year.

Drew Pomeranz was the top college pitcher in the 2010 MLB draft, and went to Cleveland with the fifth pick.

He pitched very well in High-A and Double-A for the Indians before being traded to Colorado in the Ubaldo Jimenez deal, though it really interrupted his season since he wasn't allowed to be officially included until mid-August on the one-year anniversary of him signing after the draft.

Pomeranz threw 10 innings in Double-A for the Rockies, allowing just two hits and no runs before having his season interrupted again by an emergency appendectomy. When he came back he started four games with the Rockies and went 2-1 with a 5.40 ERA.

Pomeranz is a potential No. 2 starter who will be ready for the big leagues later this year. He still needs to refine his changeup and control, which is why the Rockies have sent him to Triple-A to start the year.

20. Trevor Bauer, SP, Arizona

Rob Tringali/Getty ImagesTrevor Bauer could become a star in Arizona enen though he is very unorthodox.

Trevor Bauer was selected with the third pick in the 2011 MLB draft even though he was one of the more controversial prospects.

Bauer had thrown a ton of innings with some very high pitch counts in college and had an unorthodox delivery, a trio of things that scared some away; his different long-toss workout was a caution as well.

Bauer was more successful in college than his teammate Gerrit Cole, who was selected with the top pick in the draft. Bauer signed fairly quickly as he tried to make a run at the big leagues last year, but he got hit hard in Double-A after having some success in High-A.

Bauer is a guy that's tough to project because of the delivery. He has an outside chance of becoming an ace, but is more likely to be a No. 2 starter. He's going to begin the year in Triple-A and will likely be the first guy called up when the Diamondbacks need another starter.

19. Gerrit Cole, SP, Pittsburgh

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesGerrit Cole was the top pick in the 2011 MLB draft.

Gerrit Cole was selected with the top pick in the 2011 MLB draft despite not being as successful in college as his teammate Trevor Bauer, who was selected third overall by Arizona.

It was the second time Cole was selected in the first round, as the Yankees drafted him there out of high school before he decided to attend UCLA.

Cole has great stuff with three plus-plus pitches, including a fastball that gets up into the triple digits. Cole has decent enough control as well, but is still figuring out how to pitch, though even if he doesn't figure everything out he has the stuff to be a dominant reliever.

Cole is likely to start the year in High-A and could be moved up quickly if he has success. He's got true ace potential, and even if he doesn't he could become a very good pitcher. He's likely to reach the big leagues sometime in late 2013.

18. Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesNolan Arenado could be a middle-of-the-order run producer.

Nolan Arenado was selected in the second round of the 2009 MLB draft, but never really took off as a prospect until last year.

It took until Arenado showed up to training camp in excellent shape and improved his defense, followed by a big year in High-A and great showing at the Arizona Fall League to boost his stock.

Arenado is an excellent hitter that looks like he will hit for a high average and at least average power. His plate discipline helps him even more as he posts low strikeout numbers already.

His defense was his biggest weakness as scouts thought he would need to move, until he improved it last year and now projects to stay at third defensively.

Arenado projects as a potential All-Star at third base, and the fact that he will be playing his home games in Colorado means that he could produce even better numbers. He is likely to start the year in Double-A and could make the big leagues by the end of this year.

17. Yoenis Cespedes, OF, Oakland

Koji Watanabe/Getty ImagesYoenis Cespedes hit a homer in his second game with the A's.

Oakland surprised many in the baseball community by paying up for Cuban import Yoenis Cespedes, a player who became an Internet sensation after his YouTube video surfaced. Cespedes played professionally over in Cuba, where he was one of the top players.

Cespedes is an interesting player. He's built like a football player and has plus power with good speed and solid ability on defense in center field. He is prone to strikeouts and may eventually have to move to a corner spot in the outfield, but he has the potential to make a real impact.

Cespedes surprised no one by starting on Opening Day over in Japan, and doubled and homered during the two-game series against Seattle. He should be a key player for Oakland, but just how well he hits will be a question that needs an answer.

16. Jacob Turner, SP, Detroit

Leon Halip/Getty ImagesJacob Turner will try to rebound from an injury to return to the big leagues this year.

Jacob Turner was the Tigers first-round pick in the 2009 MLB draft, and a player that only slipped to them because of his high bonus demands.

The Tigers have been aggressive with him, as they usually are with top prospects, and he was set to potentially make the Opening Day rotation in the big leagues this year if not for an injury that slowed him most of the spring.

Turner has posted good numbers in the minors, but not great numbers as his great stuff doesn't produce the number of strikeouts that one would expect. He's got three pitches that all grade as above-average and he does have good control.

Turner won't turn 21 years old until late May, and there is a chance that he makes the big-league rotation for good by then. He will start in Triple-A, and assuming he pitches well he will be the first guy up if there is an injury or someone else struggles.

15. Jameson Taillon, SP, Pittsburgh

The Pirates selected Jameson Taillon out of his Texas high school with the second pick in the 2010 MLB draft and insisted that they would have taken him over Bryce Harper.

Taillon was easily the top pitching prospect in the entire draft, as he has everything needed to become a true ace in the future and wouldn't need a lot of time to be ready.

Taillon made his pro debut in Low-A last year, but didn't get to really show much as the Pirates placed him under strict innings and pitch-count limits. Taillon only went 2-3 in his 23 starts, but he only pitched 92.2 innings. He had a 3.98 ERA and struck out 94 hitters in those innings.

Part of why his numbers weren't better is because the club wanted him to throw 80 percent of his pitches as fastballs, limiting his use of his big curve and plus slider.

Taillon will move up to High-A to start this year and should get to pitch without such strict limits. He could really take off this year by pitching deeper into games and showing his other pitches. Look for him in Pittsburgh sometime in 2014.

14. Devin Mesoraco, C, Cincinnati

Patrick McDermott/Getty ImagesDevin Mesoraco will start at catcher for the Reds this year.

The Reds drafted Devin Mesoraco in the first round of the 2007 MLB draft out of a small Pennsylvania high school. Mesoraco struggled badly in the minors with both performance and health from 2007 through the 2009 season, and heading into 2010 some were ready to call him a bust.

Mesoraco broke out at the start of the 2010 season, as he was finally healthy, and has put himself in the discussion for the top catching prospect in the game.

Mesoraco had a big year in 2010 between stops in High-A, Double-A and Triple-A, hitting .302 with 26 homers on the year. He came into 2011 held back from the big leagues because the Reds had Ramon Hernandez and Ryan Hanigan in the majors, so he spent the whole year in Triple-A where he hit well again.

Mesoraco made his big-league debut in September, and although he didn't show much he did enough to earn the starting job heading into this season.

Mesoraco has the potential to be an All-Star in the future, as he does have the potential to be a middle-of-the-order hitter with above-average defense behind the plate.

13. Wil Myers, OF, Kansas City

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesWil Myers hopes to rebound from an off-year last year.

Wil Myers fell to the Royals in the third round of the 2009 MLB draft because he had high bonus demands, but he was one of the top high school hitters in the draft.

Myers started out as a catcher with the Royals, and had big years in 2009 and 2010 before the Royals moved him to the outfield to allow his bat to develop at a quicker pace.

Myers started 2011 in Double-A at just age 20, but never really got going because of a knee injury off the field and an infection that developed in the wound. Myers hit just .254 with eight homers, which caused his prospect stock to drop significantly.

However a great showing in the Arizona Fall League, where he looked like the elite prospect we saw in 2010, brought his stock right back up.

Myers projects to hit near .300 with good on-base skills and above-average power or better in the future. He also projects to play above-average defense in right field, once he learns the position a little better. That package of skills could make him an All-Star right fielder.

Myers is likely to begin the 2012 season where he ended 2011, in Double-A. A strong start to the season could get him moved up to Triple-A for midseason. There is a shot he reaches Kansas City by the end of the year, and even if he doesn't it will likely happen in 2013.

12. Travis D'Arnaud, C, Toronto

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesTravis d'Arnaud was the key to the Roy Halladay deal for Toronto.

When the Blue Jays dealt Roy Halladay to the Phillies, they insisted on receiving toolsy catching prospect Travis d'Arnaud in the deal. D'Arnaud had shown promise with the Phillies after being a first-round draft choice in 2007, but was more tools than production at that time.

D'Arnaud only truly broke out last year when he spent the year in Double-A, hitting .311 with 21 homers and 78 RBI. D'Arnaud's big 2011 season elevated him to being the top pure catching prospect in the game, as he projects to play good defense as well as hit for average and power.

D'Arnaud will begin the year in Triple-A at age 23, and won't be rushed because of the presence of another young catcher in JP Arencibia. D'Arnaud will likely make his debut at some point this year, and could compete for the starting job next season.

11. Aijuan Walker, SP, Seattle

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesTaijuan Walker was more polished than expected.

In the sandwich round of the 2010 MLB draft the Seattle Mariners took a chance by drafting raw multi-sport athlete Taijuan Walker out of his Louisiana high school. Walker was a tall, lanky right-handed pitcher with a big fastball that was thought to be a bit of a project.

Walker made his full-season debut last year in Low-A, and showed everyone that he wasn't as much of a project as many anticipated. Walker went 6-5 with a 2.89 ERA and struck out 113 batters in 96.2 innings.

Walker is a kid with the potential to become a true ace, as he has a big fastball already and two other pitches that could become plus pitches with further development.

Walker is only going to be 19 years old for the bulk of this season, so he's too young to skip up to Double-A. That means he will start the year in High-A, which means he will pitch in the extremely hitter-friendly California League.

He could see less-than-great numbers because of that, but that is to be expected. He is on track to reach the big leagues in 2014.

10. Miguel Sano, 3B, Minnesota

Miguel Sano has big-time power.

Miguel Sano was the top international signee in the 2009 class, and the Twins gave him one of the biggest international bonuses of all time. The kid from the Dominican Republic received plenty of hype after signing, but had no trouble backing it up on the field.

He made his United States debut in the Arizona League in 2010, where he hit .291 with four homers in 41 games at just age 17. He moved up to short-season ball last year, and in 66 games in the Appalachian League he hit .292 with 45 extra-base hits, including 20 homers.

Sano has two negatives that cause some to worry. The biggest is his high strikeout rate, as he struck out 77 times in 293 plate appearances last year. That causes some to worry about him making enough contact going into the upper levels of the minors.

The other worry is that he's bad defensively and has already outgrown shortstop. The Twins will try him at third base, but he may need to get moved to left field or first base if he keeps on growing.

Sano is the best power prospect in the game other than Bryce Harper, as he projects to have a future 80 grade on that tool on the 20-80 scouting scale. That means that he could become an All-Star at whatever position he ends up at defensively.

Sano will make his full-season debut in Low-A this year and won't hit his 19th birthday until mid-May. Since he plays for the Twins, he is likely to be moved slowly through the system, as they are rarely aggressive with their prospects.

Sano's debut is likely to come in 2014 or 2015, but is hard to predict because of the organization's history with prospects.

9. Dylan Bundy, SP, Baltimore

J. Meric/Getty ImagesDylan Bundy may have the highest ceiling of the pitchers in the 2011 MLB Draft.

Dylan Bundy was considered by some to be the best overall pitcher in the 2011 MLB draft, but the fact he was a prep arm kept him from being selected in the first three picks before Baltimore scooped him up.

Bundy had a great run at his Oklahoma high school and has good bloodlines with his brother Robert already being in the Baltimore system.

Bundy is a potential ace. He's got four pitches that are all plus and a fifth pitch that projects as at least average, including a big fastball that he can hit 100 MPH with.

He's got great mechanics for a young pitcher and his control is already an asset. Despite being a prep pitcher he should move fast, as he is more polished than most prep arms.

Bundy is likely to start the year in Low-A, but if he has success he could quickly be promoted to High-A because the organization realizes how polished he is. There is a chance he comes up to the big leagues sometime in 2014.

8. Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore

The Orioles took Manny Machado with the third pick in the 2010 MLB draft, as he was an elite type of talent. Coming out of a Miami-area high school, being a Latin American and being an athletic shortstop with five tools led some to compare him to a young Alex Rodriguez.

Machado had a solid debut in 2010, but only played in nine games after signing late. He started 2011 in Low-A, where he was very successful until a knee injury slowed him.

When he returned he wasn't nearly the same player, though he played well enough to earn a promotion to High-A. He struggled a bit in High-A, but did hold his own for a kid that was only 18 years old.

Machado projects to hit for a high average with plus power and the ability to steal 20 bases along with a good glove. There are some questions about how much he will grow, which leads to concerns that he may need to move to third base later in his career just like Rodriguez did.

Machado will start the year either back in High-A or in Double-A, and there is an outside chance that he will make his debut in September. He should be up for good before the end of the 2013 season.

7. Julio Teheran, SP, Atlanta

Scott Cunningham/Getty ImagesJulio Teheran will likely begin the year in the minors after a disappointing spring.

Julio Teheran was a big prospect out of Colombia in the international class of 2007, when he signed with the Braves over the Yankees due to his relative being the signing scout with the Braves. Teheran has come with high expectations at every level, but has produced at each one thus far.

Teheran struggled a bit in Danville in the Appalachian League in 2008, but repeated it in 2009 and had success before being promoted to Low-A. He started 2010 in Low-A, but pitched well enough to end the year in Double-A. He spent all of last year in Triple-A at age 20, and went 15-3 with a 2.55 ERA.

Teheran has the stuff to become an ace. He's got four pitches, though his curveball needs some work to be effective against major league hitters. There is a question about his lack of strikeouts, as his stuff should result in more than the 122 batters he struck out in 144.2 innings in Triple-A last year.

Teheran is fighting to earn the last spot in the Braves' rotation, though it seems he trails Randall Delgado for the job. If he loses out he will begin the year in Triple-A, as he could still refine some little things in addition to improving his curve.

He should be back up in the majors sometime this year; he'd make the Opening Day roster for plenty of other clubs without the same level of pitching depth that the Braves have.

6. Jesus Montero, C, Seattle

The title of the slide says that Jesus Montero is a catcher; however his defense is so weak that he will be a designated hitter that will occasionally catch.

That is why the Yankees dealt him to Seattle, because they knew he would not catch for them and doesn't have the same value as a designated hitter even though he still projects to be an All-Star there.

Montero was a top international free agent in 2006, and has been producing big numbers in the minors ever since. Montero has been on the prospect radar since 2008 when he lit up Low-A pitchers at just age 18.

He reached Triple-A in 2010, and after struggling early against better pitching, his bat really came alive in the second half. His Triple-A numbers were a bit down last year, but some believe that is because he didn't give full effort because he may have felt he didn't belong there.

Montero projects to be a hitter capable of hitting .300 with 30 homers every year. He just seems to make hard contact with the ball, which is why he hit .328 with four homers in 61 at bats with the big club last year.

Montero made the Mariners' Opening Day roster and started at designated hitter in their two games over in Japan.

The organization has said that they would like to have him catch at least once a week, which is possible since there are reports that his defense has improved over where it was last year.

5. Shelby Miller, SP, St. Louis

Shelby Miller was another one of the elite prep arms that went in the first round of the 2009 MLB draft. Miller, a Texas high school product, was the flamethrower you would expect from that state.

He's quickly emerged as the top prospect out of the group of pitchers from that draft.

Miller spent all of his 2010 season in Low-A, where he went 7-5 with a 3.62 ERA and struck out 140 hitters in 104.1 innings. He started last year in High-A, and after nine strong starts he was promoted to Double-A.

Miller had one awful start and one off-field issue for an under-age drinking arrest, but he managed to go 9-3 with a 2.70 ERA in 16 starts.

Miller has the stuff to become an ace. He's got a big fastball as well as two more pitches that could eventually become plus pitches. His control is decent, but isn't plus, giving him something to try to work on.

Miller to begin the year in Triple-A, and is expected to make his big-league debut at some point this season.

4. Jurickson Profar, SS, Texas

Christian Petersen/Getty ImagesJurickson Profar has quickly become an elite prospect.

Jurickson Profar was a top international free agent that signed in 2009, though he was a kid that was known about for a while prior to that, because he was a star in the Little League World Series when Curacao played in it.

Profar made his debut in 2010 in short-season ball, but the kid most other teams wanted as a pitcher struggled, when he managed to hit just .250 in 63 games. He was moved to Low-A to start last year, when he broke out in a big way. Profar hit .286 with 12 homers and 86 RBI along with 23 steals. He also collected 37 doubles and eight triples.

Profar is a kid that should eventually hit for a good average with at least average to above-average power for the position and good speed. He's also a strong defender with a great arm. Scouts also love his makeup, as Profar is a great kid that works extremely hard.

Profar will start the year in High-A, though a promotion to Double-A is a possibility at some point during the year. He could potentially make his big-league debut late next season, though there are some questions as he's blocked by Elvis Andrus at short.

3. Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels

Jeff Gross/Getty ImagesMike Trout could be a star as a leadoff or third-place hitter.

When the Angels selected Mike Trout with the 25th pick in the 2009 MLB draft, they were hoping for a player that would be a big part of their future. However they got a player that quickly became one of the elite prospects in the game during his great 2010 season.

After a strong 44-game debut in 2009, Trout was sent to Low-A for the start of 2010. What he did there was amazing, as he hit .362 with 32 extra-base hits, including six homers and 45 steals in 81 games. He was moved to High-A to finish the year, where he finished strong by hitting .306.

Trout came into 2011 in the conversation for being the top prospect in the game, and didn't disappoint.

He hit well enough in 91 Double-A games that he was selected as Baseball America's Minor League Player of the Year, hitting .326 with 42 extra-base hits, including 11 homers, along with 33 steals.

He made his big-league debut despite not turning 20 years old until August, and hit .220 with five homers in 123 at-bats.

Trout is a five-tool center fielder. He could compete for batting titles because of the contact he makes as well as his speed, which is an easy 80 grade on the scouting scale.

He also has power that projects to be above-average, and could eventually become plus. His speed helps him to be a great defender, but the presence of elite defender Peter Bourjos could move Trout to a corner outfield spot.

An flu and sore shoulder have held Trout back all spring, and because of that he will start the year in Triple-A. He is ready for the big leagues now, but he needs regular at-bats and the Angels have a ton of outfield and designated hitter depth.

Trout does have some things to work on, as he struggled in the big leagues and in the Arizona Fall League, but those struggles could be related to his young age as well as it being the end of a long season.

2. Matt Moore, SP, Tampa Bay

Jonathan Ferrey/Getty ImagesMatt Moore looks like a draft steal by the Rays.

The Rays selected Matt Moore in the eighth round of the 2007 MLB draft out of his New Mexico high school. They moved him slowly in 2007 and 2008 despite his success, only allowing him to reach full-season ball in 2009.

Moore led the entire minors in strikeouts in both 2009 and 2010, becoming a top-tier prospect. However, it wasn't until last season where Moore became one of the game's premier prospects.

Moore went 8-3 with a 2.20 ERA in 17 Double-A starts and then 4-0 with a 1.37 ERA in nine Triple-A starts. Though he didn't win another strikeout title, he came very close.

Moore made his big-league debut and after struggling in relief in his debut against Baltimore, pitched well against Boston in his second relief appearance. He then earned a start on September 22nd at the Yankees, a tough spot for most kids with the Rays being in a pennant race, but he threw five shutout innings and struck out 11.

As if that isn't impressive enough, Moore got the ball for the start in Game 1 against the Rangers in the ALDS.

Moore wasn't scared by the powerful Texas lineup, as he threw seven shutout innings and allowed just four baserunners as the Rays won their only game of the series. He also pitched three strong innings in relief in Game 4.

Moore will open the season as the Rays' No. 4 starter and projects to develop into a true ace. The Rays are so confident in his ability that they already signed him to a long-term contract that bought out his arbitration years and gives them options to his first free-agency years.

1. Bryce Harper, OF, Washington

Sarah Glenn/Getty ImagesBryce Harper should be ready for the big leagues soon.

When the Washington Nationals drafted Stephen Strasburg in the 2009 draft, they were selecting the most hyped amateur prospect ever.

Then came 2010 when they selected Bryce Harper, a kid who received even more amateur hype, starting with an appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated as a high school sophomore. Then came more attention when he skipped his final two years of high school to enroll in a junior college in order to enter the draft a year earlier.

Last year Harper should have been a high school senior; however he became the best prospect in the game as he reached Double-A. He started the year in Low-A, hitting .318 with 14 homers and 19 steals in 72 games.

The Nationals then aggressively promoted him to Double-A, where he more than held his own by hitting .256 with three homers in 37 games before being shut down with a minor injury,

Harper is the greatest power prospect in the history of the game, with a power tool that grades out at an 80 presently. He plays the game hard and really knows the game, which allows him to steal 20 bases despite not being that fast. His throwing arm is so good that he could have been a pitcher, and will be a major asset in the outfield.

Harper will begin this season in Triple-A and is likely to be called up as soon as he has success. The Nationals have a real shot at competing for a playoff spot this year, and that could lead to them bringing him up before June, when teams usually call guys up over service-time issues.